A Small Circle of Friends is a 1980 American drama film directed by Rob Cohen (in his directorial debut) and starring Brad Davis, Karen Allen and Jameson Parker. It was distributed by United Artists.
Contents
Plot
In Boston, Nick Baxter (Jameson Parker) encounters Jessica Bloom (Karen Allen), prompting recollections of their college years. In 1967, Nick enters Harvard University and befriends aspiring journalist Leonardo "Leo" DaVinci Rizzo (Brad Davis). Leo becomes romantically involved with Jessica, an art student at Radcliffe College.
Amid opposition to the Vietnam War, the students celebrate President Lyndon B. Johnson's decision not to seek reelection. Leo's disregard for Jessica's artistic ambitions and jealousy of Nick strain their friendship. Jessica subsequently begins a relationship with Nick. When the 1969 draft lottery threatens Leo with military service, Nick fabricates medical records to secure his exemption, while Jessica creates a diversion.
In 1971, the three reconcile during a weekend away and share a sexual encounter. Leo later seeks to interview radical activist Haddox (John Friedrich) following a bank bombing. At Haddox's hideout, Leo attempts to dissuade him from further violence, but an accidental explosion kills everyone inside.
Returning to the present, Nick has become a psychiatrist and Jessica a divorced lawyer. After initially parting, Nick joins her taxi, and they agree to meet that evening.
Cast
Brad Davis as Leonardo DaVinci Rizzo
Karen Allen as Jessica Bloom
Jameson Parker as Nick Baxter
Shelley Long as Alice
John Friedrich as Alex Haddox
Gary Springer as Greenblatt
Craig Richard Nelson as Harry Norris
Harry Caesar as Jimmy
Nan Martin as Mrs. Baxter
Daniel Stern as Crazy Kid
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features instrumental music composed by Jim Steinman. Steinman later incorporated melodies from his score into the power ballad songs "Total Eclipse of the Heart", which became a number one hit for Bonnie Tyler in 1983, and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All", which simultaneously became a number two hit for Air Supply.
Production
Some outdoor riot sequences were filmed some 37 miles (60 km) south of Harvard University's main campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, after Harvard declined to allow the filming on their campus. Other scenes were filmed at MIT and other local colleges.